The Official iPhone 5 Thread (Liveblog links inside!)

[TuxDave]

You guys see the shadow of the '5' underneath the '12', right?

Oh what the.... oh well. Good thing I didn't put money on that bet. lol

 

[RedRooster]

I just don't get it wrt Android. I mean, when I buy something from the Play Store, the applications in the drawer stay in alphabetical order, so now where I was used to hitting something is moved down depending on if I decide to install/uninstall apps. I can make shortcuts on the homescreen, but then is that really better than they way iOS does it?

At least on iOS, I could put my most used apps on the first screen, then if I needed something but didn't know where it was, I could swipe to the left and type in the first couple of letters and launch it from there. If there isn't a shortcut to it on Android, I have to open the app drawer, then look for the right place in the alphabet and then try to find my app. The Google search doesn't search Apps, even if I have it checked in the options, it doesn't bring me the results. I can't find a widget or anything that's like 'Search your apps on your phone!'.

I just don't see how it's significantly better than the static grid of icons. I don't see how WP7's is even slightly better. I don't want to derail this in to an Android vs iOS thread so if this is too OT, let me know, but am I just MISSING something?

Sure it does, does yours not? I just tested it on my JB Nexus, the Google search bar searches app titles just fine.

WP7s is better because the icons can be updated to show information instead of just static icon pictures. To see how many new emails you have, the outside temperature, how many new tweets you have, all from not touching a single button on your homescreen is pretty awesome. I'm tempted to move back to WP once their marketplace takes off some more.

And so I stay on topic, I'm interested to see the new iPhone. Like someone said, new hardware is always exciting.

 

[dagamer34]

You guys think it will have LTE? Wouldn't that mean they'd need a specific model for every carrier? Nothing like GSM...

Most likely, unless they've got early access to the Qualcomm WTR1605L LTE radio chipset that lets you have 3 bands below 1Ghz, 3 bands above 1Ghz, and 1 super high band around the 2.5Ghz range. But I consider the chances of a world LTE phone to be almost nil.

 

[AkumaX]

But what's the point of this?

When you use an SGS2 versus an SGS3, the SGS3 feels worlds faster. You can take a slower Galaxy Nexus, slap Jellybean on it, and it feels like it runs circles around both the SGS2 and SGS3. Take an SGS2 and run CM9 and it feels like it flies compared to the SGS3's Touchwiz.

You continue to emphasize these hardware differences like its night and day, but I've pointed out time and time again that people on Android stress hardware improvements so much because so far it's been brute force engineering to get Android to feel fast. It's taken a quad core phone to give me 60fps smoothness. Yes Google's finally gotten there with Jellybean, but who knows how long we'll have to wait considering ICS penetration is around 15% only after 9 months of use.

No one's crying the iPhone 4S feels slow or the iPad 2 or 3 feels slow. These devices run fine. Can we use faster hardware? Certainly, but the biggest issue with the iDevices is not that they're running slower hardware. It's complaints like the OS having a stupid UI or not having widgets, not having a notification center (pre iOS 5), etc.

Apple will ramp up hardware to accompany its software changes. iDevices to date may not be the fastest devices around, but being "slow" isn't what they're known for.

Had Android been designed properly from the ground up, we wouldn't be crying lag for so long. And CPU bumps would be less of a "must."

Finally, 60fps smoothness is 60fps smoothness. A quad core isn't going to make 60 fps any faster. You can attain 60 fps with a single core. Dual core practically guarantees it and iOS never stalls or falters on the iPad 2 or iPhone 4S. A quad could speed up load times and more memory can assist too, but what works on the Android ecosystem doesn't mean it has to be applied to the iOS side.

I <3 60fps. I still get lag even w/ the newest Android devices. Try opening Google Maps in Nexus 7 and rotating...

 

[Mopetar]

It will have solid LTE battery life, by virtue of a mature 28nm LTE chip, coupled with a 32nm A5, backed up by the larger battery allowed by having a slightly larger screen. Tada!

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. I have a feeling that the bigger screen is the big new feature of the year. That and LTE make for a solid phone, but nothing really exciting.

 

[Aikouka]

I've grown to prefer the rows of icons enough to bastardize my Transformer TF300 by removing all widgets and just putting icons. One thing that is nice though... I can do all of that through iTunes to avoid having to do all the dragging manually. Also, I noticed my battery life go up quite a bit after I removed the three widgets that were on my desktop. It finally has acceptable battery life that I expected from it to begin with, and who woulda thought that getting rid of the battery life widget would help!

 

[Dari]

Im more interested in going to my local coffee pub as it will be empty what with all the customers camping out on line for days. Gotta support my local businesses.

Why are you being an ass and trolling in this thread?


Infraction for mild personal attack
Moderator PM

 

[buckshot24]

You continue to emphasize these hardware differences like its night and day, but I've pointed out time and time again that people on Android stress hardware improvements so much because so far it's been brute force engineering to get Android to feel fast. It's taken a quad core phone to give me 60fps smoothness. Yes Google's finally gotten there with Jellybean, but who knows how long we'll have to wait considering ICS penetration is around 15% only after 9 months of use.

If you run ios 5 on the OG iPad it runs like crap. If that OG iPad had better hardware it could run better longer. If this new iPhone has just "good enough" hardware for the current OS how long before ios runs like crap on it? There's no doubt android WAS significantly less optimized prior to Jelly Bean but you can't really say that any longer. No need to wait for Jelly Bean, just get a phone where you can install it. Just about any upper echelon android phone you buy today will eventually get it whether official or not.

 

[Capt Caveman]

If the current display size rumors are true, I will be really disappointed and will probably go with a SGIII.

 

[Oyeve]

Why are you being an ass and trolling in this thread?

For humor. Unlike you just being an ass in life. Ass.


Infraction for insulting another member
Moderator PM

 

[Puddle Jumper]

But what's the point of this?

When you use an SGS2 versus an SGS3, the SGS3 feels worlds faster. You can take a slower Galaxy Nexus, slap Jellybean on it, and it feels like it runs circles around both the SGS2 and SGS3. Take an SGS2 and run CM9 and it feels like it flies compared to the SGS3's Touchwiz.

You continue to emphasize these hardware differences like its night and day, but I've pointed out time and time again that people on Android stress hardware improvements so much because so far it's been brute force engineering to get Android to feel fast. It's taken a quad core phone to give me 60fps smoothness. Yes Google's finally gotten there with Jellybean, but who knows how long we'll have to wait considering ICS penetration is around 15% only after 9 months of use.

No one's crying the iPhone 4S feels slow or the iPad 2 or 3 feels slow. These devices run fine. Can we use faster hardware? Certainly, but the biggest issue with the iDevices is not that they're running slower hardware. It's complaints like the OS having a stupid UI or not having widgets, not having a notification center (pre iOS 5), etc.

Apple will ramp up hardware to accompany its software changes. iDevices to date may not be the fastest devices around, but being "slow" isn't what they're known for.

Had Android been designed properly from the ground up, we wouldn't be crying lag for so long. And CPU bumps would be less of a "must."

Finally, 60fps smoothness is 60fps smoothness. A quad core isn't going to make 60 fps any faster. You can attain 60 fps with a single core. Dual core practically guarantees it and iOS never stalls or falters on the iPad 2 or iPhone 4S. A quad could speed up load times and more memory can assist too, but what works on the Android ecosystem doesn't mean it has to be applied to the iOS side.

I care about hardware improvement on any platform, not just Android or iOS. If I am paying for a high end smartphone I expect high end hardware not good enough hardware and Apple is clearly aiming for good enough with such an antiquated processor.

I don't really care about smoothness that much either, past a certain point an os is adequately smooth and the actual performance is all that matters. If you look at actual benchmarks Android has dominated iOS in performance for quite a while now at everything but gaming and the SGS3 still wins in that regard as well.

 

[kaerflog]

I've already stated in an earlier thread that I'm disappointed with the new screen aspect ratio.
Increasing it to just 4" is fine but keeping the width the same and just making it longer is a big downer for me.
My next phone will be a WP8 phone.
What ever T-momile has to offer.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'm looking forward to this and hope we see some true innovation out of Apple. I don't expect it but do hope for it. The 4S was my first experience with iOS and this release will basically decide whether I get the 5 (or 2012, or whatever it's called) at release or if I'll go ahead and snag the Galaxy S3.

My three primary wants:
1) LTE
2) Somewhat larger screen, up to 4.3"
3) Maintain current battery life performance while offering both #1 and #2 above

I'd like an OS overhaul but to be honest the only reason for an overhaul would be for the sake of making things look different. I'm an OS hopper (BB to Web OS to Android to iOS in my last 4 phones) and it's mainly because I get bored with the offering.

I can't think of anything else that's missing that is a must have from my perspective. Maybe a better keyboard, something as good as Swiftkey perhaps?

 

[MrX8503]

I'm pretty excited to see what Apple has to offer. After reading Anand's rumor analysis, most likely, he's right. If design changes are true, it's going to be the best built smartphone to date.

Oh what the.... oh well. Good thing I didn't put money on that bet. lol

Lol, I'm surprised people miss this.

 

[ControlD]

If you run ios 5 on the OG iPad it runs like crap. If that OG iPad had better hardware it could run better longer. If this new iPhone has just "good enough" hardware for the current OS how long before ios runs like crap on it? There's no doubt android WAS significantly less optimized prior to Jelly Bean but you can't really say that any longer. No need to wait for Jelly Bean, just get a phone where you can install it. Just about any upper echelon android phone you buy today will eventually get it whether official or not.

I disagree. I have iOS 5.1.1 on my first generation iPad and it runs just fine. Sure it doesn't run like an iPad3 but it performs just fine.

 

[runawayprisoner]

Can't wait to see how Apple will handle the new display resolution in the SDK. Their support for Retina/non-Retina/iPad/iPad-Retina resolutions has been stellar and smooth thus far.

 

[kaerflog]

I'm looking forward to this and hope we see some true innovation out of Apple. I don't expect it but do hope for it. The 4S was my first experience with iOS and this release will basically decide whether I get the 5 (or 2012, or whatever it's called) at release or if I'll go ahead and snag the Galaxy S3.

My three primary wants:
1) LTE
2) Somewhat larger screen, up to 4.3"
3) Maintain current battery life performance while offering both #1 and #2 above

I'd like an OS overhaul but to be honest the only reason for an overhaul would be for the sake of making things look different. I'm an OS hopper (BB to Web OS to Android to iOS in my last 4 phones) and it's mainly because I get bored with the offering.

I can't think of anything else that's missing that is a must have from my perspective. Maybe a better keyboard, something as good as Swiftkey perhaps?

Maybe you should give WP8 a try.
I will get my first WP this year.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Maybe you should give WP8 a try.
I will get my first WP this year.

Believe me, the thought has definitely crossed my mind.

 

[saratoga172]

My gnex with jb is getting better and better. I just don't know what apple has to release that will really sway me to switch.

Maybe the LTE but I've already got it. I do like the smaller form factor but don't think I can live without Swype now that im used to it. My battery life is fine. The interface really needs an overhaul.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I disagree. I have iOS 5.1.1 on my first generation iPad and it runs just fine. Sure it doesn't run like an iPad3 but it performs just fine.

i can guarantee you every ipad 1 i played with runs better than the galaxy tab 10.1s with dual core processors.

the gtab could win if you wipe it out and install something like CM9 or AOSP....

and agreed. i had an ipad 2 and my gf an ipad 1. both ran circles around my HP TouchPad on Android.

I'm not trying to say I would settle for mid class CPUs or whatever. I just don't think in the case of Apple that bringing out the latest and greatest (say a quad core Krait) is absolutely necessary and would be a dealbreaker. If Motorola announced their new RAZR HD on a dual core platform (non Krait), I think people will moan. But that's because there's a huge difference on Android between the two.

That difference is minimized with Jellybean. On an iPhone 4 versus a 4S or an iPad 1 vs 2, it's not the smoothness that's at stake. It's the app launching speed. The faster versions just do it much faster. Basic UI is still smooth and very usable. An SGS2 vs SGS3 is a huge difference because the UI is not optimized.

Look at the people talk about their GNex on JB running circles around the SGS3. An optimized OS can go a long way.

So yes, it'd be nice if Apple brought in big guns, but traditionally they haven't and it hasn't really hindered the phone in anyway. A larger screen is far more important than a quad core CPU for them.

 

[ITHURTSWHENIP]

But what's the point of this?

When you use an SGS2 versus an SGS3, the SGS3 feels worlds faster. You can take a slower Galaxy Nexus, slap Jellybean on it, and it feels like it runs circles around both the SGS2 and SGS3. Take an SGS2 and run CM9 and it feels like it flies compared to the SGS3's Touchwiz.

You continue to emphasize these hardware differences like its night and day, but I've pointed out time and time again that people on Android stress hardware improvements so much because so far it's been brute force engineering to get Android to feel fast. It's taken a quad core phone to give me 60fps smoothness. Yes Google's finally gotten there with Jellybean, but who knows how long we'll have to wait considering ICS penetration is around 15% only after 9 months of use.

No one's crying the iPhone 4S feels slow or the iPad 2 or 3 feels slow. These devices run fine. Can we use faster hardware? Certainly, but the biggest issue with the iDevices is not that they're running slower hardware. It's complaints like the OS having a stupid UI or not having widgets, not having a notification center (pre iOS 5), etc.

Apple will ramp up hardware to accompany its software changes. iDevices to date may not be the fastest devices around, but being "slow" isn't what they're known for.

Had Android been designed properly from the ground up, we wouldn't be crying lag for so long. And CPU bumps would be less of a "must."

Finally, 60fps smoothness is 60fps smoothness. A quad core isn't going to make 60 fps any faster. You can attain 60 fps with a single core. Dual core practically guarantees it and iOS never stalls or falters on the iPad 2 or iPhone 4S. A quad could speed up load times and more memory can assist too, but what works on the Android ecosystem doesn't mean it has to be applied to the iOS side.

I think his point is that if any other company had released a phone with those specs, it would be called a midrange device and priced as such. What exactly is worth 600+ bucks? iOS6? 0.5 inch increase in screen size?

Yes we dont need uber specs. But by that logic we dont need the iPhone 5 either since the cheaper iPhone 4S works just aswell

 

[MrX8503]

I think his point is that if any other company had released a phone with those specs, it would be called a midrange device and priced as such. What exactly is worth 600+ bucks? iOS6? 0.5 inch increase in screen size?

Yes we dont need uber specs. But by that logic we dont need the iPhone 5 either since the cheaper iPhone 4S works just aswell

Considering almost every iPhone released with a GPU that stomps the competition, I think it'll be ok. The CPU is less powerful, but not by a huge margin. iOS is more GPU dependent anyway.

 

[Eug]

That difference is minimized with Jellybean. On an iPhone 4 versus a 4S or an iPad 1 vs 2, it's not the smoothness that's at stake. It's the app launching speed. The faster versions just do it much faster. Basic UI is still smooth and very usable. An SGS2 vs SGS3 is a huge difference because the UI is not optimized.

Look at the people talk about their GNex on JB running circles around the SGS3. An optimized OS can go a long way.

I didn't buy the single-core iPad 1 because I thought it was too slow for some stuff, but the competing dual-core Android devices at the time felt even slower, even though some things may have benched better. Sure, a Samsung Galaxy S II should do well with Jelly Bean, but it didn't ship with it. It shipped with 2.3 Gingerbread.

I'm glad Google is putting the emphasis in the right spot now, instead of merely focusing on feature list checkmarks.

 

[MrX8503]

I didn't buy the single-core iPad 1 because I thought it was too slow for some stuff, but the competing dual-core Android devices at the time felt even slower, even though some things may have benched better. Sure, a Samsung Galaxy S II should do well with Jelly Bean, but it didn't ship with it. It shipped with 2.3 Gingerbread.

I'm glad Google is putting the emphasis in the right spot now, instead of merely focusing on feature list checkmarks.

Yeah, real world performance is definitely the key.

 

[Oyeve]

10 band graphic eq. Mtp connection.